As the clock ticks down to midnight, what better way to keep the excitement high than with some fun, easy-to-play “Minute to Win It” games? New Year’s Eve is the perfect occasion to gather your kids for a night of laughter, friendly competition, and lots of joy. Instead of just waiting for the ball to drop, why not keep the energy up with a series of fun and quick challenges?
These 24-minute games are not only simple to set up but will also keep the kids entertained without a long wait. With just household items and a little creativity, your New Year’s Eve party will be a blast. Let’s dive right into these fun-filled challenges that will have everyone cheering as they race against the clock!
1. Paper Plate Ring Toss
Want a game that’s as easy as it is fun? Paper plate ring toss is a classic favorite. All you need are a few paper plates, some scissors, and a small hoop (or even a plastic cup can do!). The goal? Toss the plates onto the ring or cup in a set amount of time. To up the challenge, create different levels or distances for more excitement.
It’s a game that doesn’t require too much setup, yet provides endless entertainment. Plus, it’s easy for kids of all ages to play, making it perfect for a variety of ages. The best part? It can be set up in any corner of the house, and if your little one doesn’t get it the first time, there’s always room for a second try!
2. Cookie Face Challenge
If you want a game that will have everyone laughing, the cookie face challenge is the way to go. Simply place a cookie (like an Oreo) on your forehead and see who can get it into their mouth without using their hands! This will have everyone giggling as they try to balance, wiggle, and maneuver the cookie into place.
This game is great for younger kids but still challenges older ones to maintain their focus and coordination. The best part is that it’s completely mess-free (unless, of course, the cookie falls off!), and you don’t need any fancy equipment to play.
3. Stack Attack
Stack Attack is one of the most popular “Minute to Win It” games, and for good reason! The goal is to stack a set number of plastic cups in a pyramid and then unstack them all in under a minute. This game gets kids moving and thinking fast as they try to get the cups stacked as high as possible.
Not only does this game improve hand-eye coordination, but it also encourages teamwork. You can have the kids play individually or in teams to see who can build the tallest tower in a minute. It’s a great way to get the kids working together while having a blast!
4. Cup Blow
Cup Blow is a great game to get the kids’ energy up and moving. The challenge is simple: blow a plastic cup off the edge of a table using only air. The catch? They can’t touch the cup with their hands or any other object. Just a puff of air and a steady breath is all it takes to succeed.
This game might sound easy, but it’s trickier than it seems! The kids will be racing to see who can blow their cup across the finish line first. It’s a fun challenge that will have everyone using their breath and creativity to win!
5. Marshmallow Toss
Marshmallow toss is another fun “Minute to Win It” game that’s perfect for kids of all ages. You’ll need a few marshmallows and a bucket (or a bowl) for each player. The objective? Toss the marshmallows into the bucket from a set distance, and see how many you can make in under one minute.
What’s great about this game is that it’s simple to play, but it’s all about precision and timing. Plus, the kids will love the fact that they get to eat the marshmallows afterward. A little sweet treat to celebrate their victory!
6. Balloon Pop
Balloon Pop is a high-energy game that requires quick reflexes and a bit of teamwork. The idea is simple: pop as many balloons as you can using only your body in under a minute. You can do this by sitting on them, stomping on them, or even using your head!
This game is great for helping kids work on their coordination while having a blast. You can make the challenge more exciting by adding different colors of balloons or seeing who can pop the most in the shortest time.
7. Penny Tower
For this game, all you need is a pile of pennies and a flat surface. The objective is to stack the pennies into a tower as tall as you can in one minute. The trick? The kids can only use one hand to stack the pennies, making it a test of both skill and patience.
This simple yet fun game will have the kids laughing and competing to see who can build the tallest penny tower. It’s a fantastic way to challenge their concentration and fine motor skills, all while keeping things lighthearted and entertaining.
8. Sock Slide
For Sock Slide, you’ll need a smooth floor (like hardwood or tile) and a pair of socks for each player. The goal? Slide as far as you can in your socks in under a minute. The faster you go, the better!
It’s a game that can be played indoors with minimal space, and the kids will love the challenge of trying to slide the furthest. You can even time the players to see who goes the fastest or the longest distance.
9. Penny Toss
Penny Toss is a quick and fun game that’s great for all ages. The objective is to toss a penny into a cup or a bowl placed at a certain distance. The players have one minute to see how many pennies they can get into the cup.
This game is simple but effective in helping kids develop their hand-eye coordination and precision. Plus, it’s a nice change of pace from the more physical games, providing a balance of challenge and fun.
10. Straw Pickup
In Straw Pickup, the goal is simple: use a straw to pick up small objects, like M&Ms or buttons, and transfer them to another container. You can make the challenge harder by setting a time limit or increasing the number of objects to pick up.
This game is great for improving fine motor skills, and it’s fun for both kids and adults. Plus, it can be played with items you already have at home, making it super easy to set up. Try different objects to vary the difficulty level!
11. Ping Pong Madness
Ping Pong Madness is a fast-paced game that requires both skill and luck. The challenge is to bounce a ping pong ball into cups placed around the room. Players have only one minute to get as many balls into the cups as possible.
This game is perfect for kids who love a little challenge and a lot of action. It’s simple to set up, and the kids will enjoy the thrill of trying to get the ping pong balls into the cups under time pressure.
12. Cereal Necklace
For a more creative challenge, try making a cereal necklace. The goal is to string as many pieces of cereal onto a piece of string or yarn as you can in one minute. You can use Cheerios or any cereal with a hole in the middle for easy stringing.
This game is a fun way to get kids involved in a more relaxed activity while still racing against the clock. Plus, they’ll have a wearable craft to show off afterward!
13. Bottle Flip Challenge
Bottle flipping has become a popular trend, and for good reason! In the Bottle Flip Challenge, players must flip a plastic bottle and get it to land upright. The challenge is to complete this task as many times as possible in one minute.
It’s a game that tests both skill and patience. Kids will be determined to land the bottle as many times as they can before time runs out, and the competition will keep everyone on their toes.
14. Spaghetti and Marshmallow Tower
This game requires some building skills. The challenge is to use uncooked spaghetti and marshmallows to build the tallest tower possible in one minute. The catch? They can only use the marshmallows and spaghetti—no other materials allowed!
This game is fun for kids who enjoy a bit of engineering, and it fosters teamwork when played in groups. It’s a great way to get their creativity flowing and have fun while doing it.
15. Mummy Relay
A little silly but lots of fun! For the Mummy Relay, each player has to wrap themselves in toilet paper like a mummy and race to a finish line. The first person to finish wins the round, but the real fun is seeing who can wrap themselves up the quickest!
It’s an amusing game that’s perfect for a New Year’s Eve party. The kids will have a blast, and you’ll get some funny photos to look back on.
16. Straw Race
Straw Race is a super easy game that only requires a straw and a small object like a cotton ball. The idea is to blow the cotton ball across the table using only the straw. Players race against each other to see who can get their cotton ball to the end first.
This game encourages focus, steady breathing, and coordination, making it an excellent challenge for kids to practice concentration while having fun.
17. Cup Stack Relay
Cup Stack Relay is an exciting race to see who can stack and unstack plastic cups the fastest. Players must race to build a tower of cups and then unstack them in under a minute.
This game is a hit with kids who like a bit of physical activity mixed with a challenge. It’s easy to set up, and everyone loves the thrill of racing against the clock!
18. Ping Pong Ball Bounce
In this game, kids need to bounce ping pong balls into a cup from a set distance. They’ll need to aim and bounce the ball with precision to get it in the cup in one minute.
It’s an excellent way to work on hand-eye coordination, and it can be made more challenging by using smaller cups or increasing the distance.
19. Balloon Blow-Up Race
For this fast-paced game, players race to blow up a balloon and then tie it before the clock runs out. You can add a twist by requiring them to use only their mouth and no hands to blow the balloon up.
It’s a fun and silly game that will have everyone laughing as they scramble to get their balloon blown up in time.
20. Ping Pong Toss
This game is similar to the penny toss, but it uses ping pong balls instead. Players must toss ping pong balls into a series of cups placed at varying distances. The challenge is to get as many balls into the cups in one minute.
This game is great for improving aim and focus, and it’s sure to keep kids entertained as they compete to see who can get the most balls in the cups.
21. Marshmallow Race
In the Marshmallow Race, players need to move a marshmallow from one side of the room to the other using only a spoon. The twist? They must complete the task in one minute, without dropping the marshmallow!
This game is a fun test of balance and patience, and it’s perfect for kids who love a little challenge. It’s simple, yet entertaining, and can be made competitive by adding multiple players.
22. Spoon and Ping Pong Balance
For this game, players must balance a ping pong ball on a spoon and carry it across the room without dropping it. They must do this in under one minute to win.
This game is great for developing balance and coordination, and it provides plenty of laughs as players try to keep the ball steady!
23. Cup Pyramid
In the Cup Pyramid game, kids need to stack cups in a pyramid formation and unstack them as quickly as possible. The key is to complete the task in under one minute!
This game is simple but fun, and it encourages teamwork when played in pairs. Plus, it’s a great way to improve dexterity and focus.
24. Paper Airplane Race
Paper airplanes are classic fun! In the Paper Airplane Race, kids must design and fly their planes to a target across the room in under a minute. The challenge is to see who can get their plane the furthest or the most accurately.
This game is great for both creativity and competition. Plus, it’s always fun to watch the kids race to see whose plane flies the best!
Conclusion
Minute to Win It games are the perfect way to celebrate New Year’s Eve with kids! These 24 fun challenges will keep everyone entertained while building their skills, teamwork, and creativity. The best part is that they’re simple to set up, require minimal materials, and offer endless enjoyment for kids of all ages. So, whether you’re hosting a big party or just looking for something fun to do at home, these games will definitely bring the energy and excitement to your celebration. Happy New Year and let the games begin!